Car choices, yet another post!

[timorridge]

Hi,

I'm planning to view 3 different cars at the weekend with a view to change to one.


The three cars I'm looking at are as follows;

Mazda 3 1.6 Petrol Takara Hatch 2008/58 67,000 miles Red £3,900
Mazda 3 1.6 Diesel Takara Hatch 2008/58 93,000 miles Blue £3,800
Skoda Fabia 1.9 Diesel Estate 2007/07 66,000 miles £3,700

The car is replacing a aging Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6 petrol of which I'm getting a solid 43mpg on my weekly mix, warmer weather and gentler traffic raise that to 45-46mpg. Whilst MPG is a lower priority, reliability is the top one for work purposes. I like the idea of a chain cam petrol and a simple engine but also the diesel economy appeals too, though I'm scared off by the DMF/DPF and technical nature and the prospect of large repair bills when these fail. Working out the figures, just one £500 repair on a diesel could wipe out the fuel savings over the petrol model.

Looking on the forums, the petrol 3 is returns poor economy at motorway speeds (35mpg) of which is most of my commute. I would not ideally want to drop below 40mpg combined.

Of the choices, none of the petrol Fabia's would suit me as the engines would be working too hard and be tiring for the motorway journey. I do like the look of the Mazda 3
Other choices were segment up cars, Mondeos, Octavia, Golfs but they seem too baggy and used at that sort of money.


Which would you recommend?

Thanks.

[mattcov]

None are particularly inspiring tbh, but probably the Petrol Mazda 3 out of those if you wanted reliability. What about a petrol Mazda 6 - you might get a better spec/better price option, although I doubt it would do much more than 40mpg. Mondeo 1.8, Petrol Accord, Focus 1.8?

[nickofh]

Out of your selection I would definitely go for the lower mileage petrol one. I too have the same thoughts that one repair quickly wipes out any possible savings made.

Since your Charisma has been so solid what about a Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6. I ran one for three years and 85k and I did not have a single problem, not even a niggle. It returned 42mpg and was simple to
service and maintain myself. In some ways it was the best car I ever had.

Apparently the most reliable car made from 1990 to 2009 , mine lived up to this too.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/car-warranty/advice/to...

2007 Lancer 1.6 22k Miles £2795.00
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Edited by nickofh on Thursday 6th November 19:35

[lewisf182]

At that price point id be going 2007/08 civic 1.8. Returns 45mpg on the motorway with no traffic and honda are probably the best around when it comes to reliability.

[Riknos]

OP - What the last two said.